Turned on by textiles

Ooh, la, la! Ikea's new French line of fabrics is a favourite - mixing the materials makes for a casually chic boudoir

Ikea's toiles, stripes and checks, pictured, was inspired by historical patterns found in a French textile museum.

Photograph by: Handout photo
, Ikea

In the world of decorating and design, textiles can make or break a room. Think of a microfibre sofa where you've stood up and left your impression behind. Perhaps you've recently spent a summer evening sitting on a dining chair where, like a BandAid from a wound, you've had to peel your bare sweaty thighs from the vinyl. Obviously, that's the break side of fabrics, but on the make side, I've seen rooms change completely just with new pillows.

I first experienced the power of fabric when my mom wouldn't let me go to overnight summer camp. To make me feel better about waving a sorrowful goodbye to all my friends, she bought me a new floral comforter that was so pretty and soft that it really did comfort me.

In Ikea's Youtube video A World Without Textiles, the importance of fabric is taken to a whole new level. And I have to agree with the Swedish retailer that life in aluminum foil underpants would be miserable. The funny video is part of the company's 2013 catalogue launch, which has a special focus on textiles.

Ikea has always sold fabrics in its stores, but they've added many more lines and limited collections. There's even a new sewing machine called Sy, which is designed for beginners and costs $69.99. They've also broadened their selection of material, adding more linen and cotton blends such as cotton-Lyocell. (Lyocell is a temperature-regulating fibre made from wood pulp.) At less than $10 per mere, this is great news for designers and nondesigners alike.

If you're not a seamstress or don't have the time to get to know one, not to worry, as there are plenty of ready-made curtains, bed linens, and cushion covers in new patterns and colours.

Recently, at Ikea's textile launch in New York, I got to see and touch some of the new material. For lovers of mod, there are graphic black-andwhite Scandinavian patterns. Tradklover is ideal for making a big statement as a shower curtain, headboard or drapery panels.

I've fallen in love with Solgerd a black, white, green and pink floral that I plan to have made into several 20-inch, down-filled cushions because its pattern will work with so many other different scales and colours.

For those who are into the classics, the Benzy bedding in blue plaid will jibe with plums, reds or sand-toned linens. If I had a summer home, I would dress the beds in the Benzy duvet and crisp white sheets and pillowcases.

The patterns that I've mentioned have a high-end look. And though these patterns do look great on their own, they will pair especially well with textiles from designer fabric houses.

My favourite of all the new lines, however, is the collection of French toiles, stripes, checks and florals (as seen in the photo above). The collection was inspired by historical patterns found in a French textile museum. The look is casual and mismatched. And though the look feels like it's been collected over time, you can grab it off-the-shelf in as much time as it takes to eat a plate of Swedish meatballs and a soft-serve ice cream cone.

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